Products and processes for processing information related to weather and other events

ABSTRACT

According to an embodiment, a method includes receiving a plurality of bets, in which each bet defines a respective amounted wagered, a respective area, and a respective weather-related event. Data that represents the plurality of bets is displayed. An outcome of a weather-related event is determined and at least one winner is determined based on the bets and the outcome.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/126,628 filed on Sep. 10, 2018 which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/058,446, filed on Oct. 21, 2013 (now U.S. Pat.No. 10,074,244 issued on Sep. 11, 2018), which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/536,430, filed on Sep. 28, 2006 (now U.S.Pat. No. 8,562,422, issued on Oct. 22, 2013), the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety. The disclosures ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/425,368, filed Jun. 20, 2006, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/846,025, filed Apr. 30, 2001, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/404,043, filed Apr. 2, 2003, are eachincorporated by reference herein as part of the present disclosure forpurposes of enablement and written description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following sections I-VIII provide a guide to interpreting thispatent application.

I. Terms

The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and/or composition ofmatter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “process” means any process, algorithm, method or the like,unless expressly specified otherwise.

Each process (whether called a method, algorithm or otherwise)inherently includes one or more steps, and therefore all references to a“step” or “steps” of a process have an inherent antecedent basis in themere recitation of the term ‘process’ or a like term. Accordingly, anyreference in a claim to a ‘step’ or ‘steps’ of a process has sufficientantecedent basis.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “theembodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “someembodiments”, “certain embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “anotherembodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments ofthe disclosed invention(s)”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The term “variation” of an invention means an embodiment of theinvention, unless expressly specified otherwise.

A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does notimply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with anotherembodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referencedembodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The term “herein” means “in this patent application, including anythingwhich may be incorporated by reference”, unless expressly specifiedotherwise.

The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality ofthings (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination ofone or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. Forexample, the phrase “at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” meanseither (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car,(v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, acar and a wheel.

Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbersto indicate quantity of something (e.g., one widget, two widgets), meanthe quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at leastthe quantity indicated by that numerical term. For example, the phrase“one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore thephrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.

The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describesboth “based only on” and “based at least on”.

The term “represent” and like terms are not exclusive, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. For example, the term “represents” do not mean“represents only”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words,the phrase “the data represents a credit card number” describes both“the data represents only a credit card number” and “the data representsa credit card number and the data also represents something else”.

The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other setof words that express only the intended result, objective or consequenceof something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when theterm “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that theterm “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations ofthe claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.

The term “e.g.” and like terms means “for example”, and thus does notlimit the term or phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “thecomputer sends data (e.g., instructions, a data structure) over theInternet”, the term “e.g.” explains that “instructions” are an exampleof “data” that the computer may send over the Internet, and alsoexplains that “a data structure” is an example of “data” that thecomputer may send over the Internet. However, both “instructions” and “adata structure” are merely examples of “data”, and other things besides“instructions” and “a data structure” can be “data”.

The term “i.e.” and like terms means “that is”, and thus limits the termor phrase it explains. For example, in the sentence “the computer sendsdata (i.e., instructions) over the Internet”, the term “i.e.” explainsthat “instructions” are the “data” that the computer sends over theInternet.

II. Determining

The term “determining” and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., todetermine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meetsa certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense. The term“determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore“determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving,investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database oranother data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining”can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g.,accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” caninclude resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

The term “determining” does not imply certainty or absolute precision,and therefore “determining” can include estimating, predicting, guessingand the like.

The term “determining” does not imply that mathematical processing mustbe performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used,and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.

The term “determining” does not imply that any particular device must beused. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform thedetermining.

III. Forms of Sentences

Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as wellas more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least onewidget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where ina second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses adefinite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”),this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature,and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of thefeature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than onewidget).

When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) isused as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unlessexpressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature,such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature thatis described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a“first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a“second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and“second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any otherrelationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate anyother characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mereusage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term“widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or afterany other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widgetoccurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does notindicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as inimportance or quality. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbersdoes not define a numerical limit to the features identified with theordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers“first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate thatthere must be no more than two widgets.

When a single device or article is described herein, more than onedevice/article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be usedin place of the single device/article that is described. Accordingly,the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device mayalternatively be possessed by more than one device/article (whether ornot they cooperate).

Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein(whether or not they cooperate), a single device/article mayalternatively be used in place of the more than one device or articlethat is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devicesmay be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, thevarious functionality that is described as being possessed by more thanone device or article may alternatively be possessed by a singledevice/article.

The functionality and/or the features of a single device that isdescribed may be alternatively embodied by one or more other deviceswhich are described but are not explicitly described as having suchfunctionality/features. Thus, other embodiments need not include thedescribed device itself, but rather can include the one or more otherdevices which would, in those other embodiments, have suchfunctionality/features.

IV. Disclosed Examples and Terminology are not Limiting

Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and arepresented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments arenot, and are not intended to be, limiting in any sense. The presentlydisclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, asis readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced withvarious modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical,software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features ofthe disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one ormore particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understoodthat such features are not limited to usage in the one or moreparticular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they aredescribed, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The present disclosure is neither a literal description of allembodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the inventionwhich must be present in all embodiments.

Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of thispatent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of thispatent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way as the scopeof the disclosed invention(s). An Abstract has been included in thisapplication merely because an Abstract of not more than 150 words isrequired under 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b).

The title of this patent application and headings of sections providedin this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to betaken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

Devices that are described as in communication with each other need notbe in continuous communication with each other, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit toeach other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain fromexchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine incommunication with another machine via the Internet may not transmitdata to the other machine for long period of time (e.g. weeks at atime). In addition, devices that are in communication with each othermay communicate directly or indirectly through one or moreintermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components or features doesnot imply that all or even any of such components/features are required.On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, nocomponent/feature is essential or required.

Although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described in asequential order, such processes may be configured to work in differentorders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may beexplicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement thatthe steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes describedherein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps maybe performed simultaneously despite being described or implied asoccurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described afterthe other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by itsdepiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process isexclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not implythat the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to theinvention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps,that does not imply that all or any of the steps are essential orrequired. Various other embodiments within the scope of the describedinvention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of thedescribed steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step isessential or required.

Although a product may be described as including a plurality ofcomponents, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, thatdoes not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or required.Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s)include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.

An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does notimply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unlessexpressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items(which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of theitems are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specifiedotherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, aPDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list aremutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three itemsof that list are comprehensive of any category.

V. Computing

It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that thevarious processes described herein may be implemented by, e.g.,appropriately programmed general purpose computers and computingdevices. Typically a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors, oneor more microcontrollers, one or more digital signal processors) willreceive instructions (e.g., from a memory or like device), and executethose instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined bythose instructions.

A “processor” means one or more microprocessors, central processingunits (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors, or like devices or any combination thereof.

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of anapparatus for performing the process. The apparatus can include, e.g., aprocessor and those input devices and output devices that areappropriate to perform the method.

Further, programs that implement such methods (as well as other types ofdata) may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g.,computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments,hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or incombination with, some or all of the software instructions that canimplement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, variouscombinations of hardware and software may be used instead of softwareonly.

The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium thatparticipates in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures)which may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such amedium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatilemedia, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile mediainclude, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistentmemory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM),which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media includecoaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media mayinclude or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagneticemissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) andinfrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readablemedia include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk,magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any otheroptical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium withpatterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any othermemory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, orany other medium from which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carryingdata (e.g. sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, datamay be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over awireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and/or transmittedaccording to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet(or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth™, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G;and/or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of avariety of ways well known in the art.

Thus a description of a process is likewise a description of acomputer-readable medium storing a program for performing the process.The computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) thoseprogram elements which are appropriate to perform the method.

Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicatethat all the described steps are required, embodiments of an apparatusinclude a computer/computing device operable to perform some (but notnecessarily all) of the described process.

Likewise, just as the description of various steps in a process does notindicate that all the described steps are required, embodiments of acomputer-readable medium storing a program or data structure include acomputer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, cancause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of thedescribed process.

Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to thosedescribed may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structuresbesides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations ordescriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrativearrangements for stored representations of information. Any number ofother arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g.,tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustratedentries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one ofordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content ofthe entries can be different from those described herein. Further,despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats(including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributeddatabases) could be used to store and manipulate the data typesdescribed herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a databasecan be used to implement various processes, such as the describedherein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be storedlocally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such adatabase.

Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environmentincluding a computer that is in communication (e.g., via acommunications network) with one or more devices. The computer maycommunicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired orwireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, atelephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communicationsline, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, asatellite communications link, a combination of any of the above). Eachof the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computingdevices, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® or Centrino™processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any numberand type of devices may be in communication with the computer.

In an embodiment, a server computer or centralized authority may not benecessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in anembodiment, be practiced on one or more devices without a centralauthority. In such an embodiment, any functions described herein asperformed by the server computer or data described as stored on theserver computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or moresuch devices.

VI. Continuing Applications

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in this patentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of this patentapplication. Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursuepatents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but notclaimed in this patent application.

VII VIII. 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which includes the phrase “meansfor” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6,applies to that limitation.

In a claim, a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase“means for” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. § 112,paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whetherthat limitation recites a function without recitation of structure,material or acts for performing that function. For example, in a claim,the mere use of the phrase “step of” or the phrase “steps of” inreferring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does notmean that 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).

With respect to a means or a step for performing a specified function inaccordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, the correspondingstructure, material or acts described in the specification, andequivalents thereof, may perform additional functions as well as thespecified function.

Computers, processors, computing devices and like products arestructures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such productscan be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or moreprograms, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product orin a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expresslyspecified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particularalgorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed inthis patent application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill inthe art that a specified function may be implemented via differentalgorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a meredesign choice for carrying out the specified function.

Therefore, with respect to a means or a step for performing a specifiedfunction in accordance with 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, structurecorresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed toperform the specified function. Such structure includes programmedproducts which perform the function, regardless of whether such productis programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing thefunction, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or(iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.

IX. Disclaimers

Numerous references to a particular embodiment does not indicate adisclaimer or disavowal of additional, different embodiments, andsimilarly references to the description of embodiments which all includea particular feature does not indicate a disclaimer or disavowal ofembodiments which do not include that particular feature. A cleardisclaimer or disavowal in this patent application shall be prefaced bya phrase such as “does not include” or “cannot perform”.

X. Overview

In an embodiment, a system (e.g., a network-based computer system)includes the ability to “bet” on the occurrence of a weather-relatedevent (e.g., hurricane) affecting a particular geographic area (e.g., atown). Payout (e.g., determination of particular amounts payable) fromsuch a bet can be made according to a pari-mutuel system, fixed payoutsystem or any other methodology. The use of terms such as “bet” and“wager” is for convenience only and does not connote that therenecessarily must be any involvement of any form of gambling or a lotterysweepstakes, though such are embodiments. For example, the methods andsteps disclosed herein may be performed using financial services systemssuch as systems which process, receive, or other involve futures,options or otherwise financial instruments. In such an embodiment, afuture, option or other derivative may be based on an instrument whichis (“valued” or otherwise takes its value from) data that relates to anevent such as a weather event. Such an instrument may take its valuefrom, e.g., a weather reading, official release or statement regardingthe weather, etc.

Pari-mutuel betting is typically considered a betting system in whichthe amounts wagered from most or all bets (or possibly bets of aparticular type) are allocated to a “pool” (or to a pool of a pluralityof pools based on the particular type). Typically certain amounts arededucted from the pool (e.g., taxes, transaction fees, and/or a “house”amount) and the remaining amount after such deductions are available tobe paid out to “winners” of the betting system. The payout amounts forwinners are calculated by sharing the pool among all placed bets. Forexample, a portion of the pool (e.g., the portion remaining aftercertain deductions) may be divided among all winners, with each winnergetting an amount that is proportional to their respective wageredamount.

Many variations and features of pari-mutuel betting are well-known andthus are not explicitly recited herein.

According to an embodiment, one or more bets may be made (e.g., in apari-mutuel betting system, in any other betting system, in a systembased on financial instruments) in which the bet defines (explicitlyand/or implicitly) one or more of:

(1) an amounted wagered (e.g., an amount which is put at risk ofcomplete loss),

(2) a designation of one or more areas (e.g., a town, a county, a state,other area designations consisting of contiguous or noncontiguousareas),

(3) a designation of one or more weather-related events, naturaldisasters or other events, including hurricanes, storms, depressions,earthquakes, tsunami, meteorite strikes, any other event that isdescribed herein, or any events based on any events that are describedherein;

(4) a time period (e.g., a month, a hurricane season, any anotherseason, a year, an indefinite period which extends indefinitely, anindefinite period which extends infinitely into the future).

In an embodiment, payouts for such bets are based on (1) whether thedesignated event(s) “hits” the designated area(s) in a time period(e.g., this season, this year, next year, any time period made ofcontiguous or noncontiguous time periods), (2) whether the designatedevent(s) “hits” the designated area(s) before hitting any other areas ina time period and/or (3) to what extent the designated event(s) “hits”the designated area(s) in a time period. In an embodiment, determinationof what amounts are to be paid may be further based on which of aplurality of pools the payout is to be allocated from. For example,there can be two pools, one of which is used to pay for a firstdesignated event that occurs in a time period (if any), and the secondpool is used to pay for a second designated event in a time period (ifany).

In an embodiment, bets may be sold or otherwise transferred (e.g., soldafter being made by a first party, such sale transferringownership/beneficial interest to a third party). For example, a bet maybe sold via an auction or any other sales system to a third party, andthe third party would receive the payout if the bet is a winning bet.

An API (application programming interface) can be provided to allowaccess (e.g., by custom software developed by others) to any of thefunctionality or data described herein.

XI. Some Weather-Related Events and Other Natural Events

In meteorology, a tropical cyclone is a storm system fueled by the heatreleased when moist air rises and condenses. Cyclones are distinguishedfrom other cyclonic windstorms such as nor'easters, European windstorms,and polar lows by the heat mechanism that fuels them, which makes them“warm core” storm systems. Depending on their location and strength,there are various terms by which tropical cyclones are known, such ashurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, and tropical depression.

Tropical cyclones can produce extremely strong winds, tornadoes,torrential rain, and huge waves swamping coastal areas called stormsurges. The heavy rains and storm surges create giant floods. Theeffects of tropical cyclones on human populations can be catastrophic,involving injury, death and property damage.

Tropical cyclones are classified into three main groups, based onintensity: tropical depressions, tropical storms, and a third group ofmore intense storms, whose name depends on the region.

A tropical depression is an organized system of clouds and thunderstormswith a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of lessthan 17 m/s (33 kt, 38 mph, or 62 km/h). It has no “eye”, and does nottypically have the organization or the spiral shape of more powerfulstorms.

A tropical storm is an organized system of strong thunderstorms with adefined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds between 17 and32 m/s (34-63 kt, 39-73 mph, or 62-117 km/h). At this point, thedistinctive cyclonic shape starts to develop, though an eye is usuallynot present. Government weather services assign first names to systemsthat reach this intensity (thus the term named storm).

A hurricane or typhoon (sometimes simply referred to as a tropicalcyclone, as opposed to a depression or storm) is a system with sustainedwinds greater than 33 m/s (64 kt, 74 mph, or 118 km/h). A tropicalcyclone tends to develop an eye, an area of relative calm (and lowestatmospheric pressure) at the center of circulation. The eye is oftenvisible in satellite images as a small, circular, cloud-free spot.Surrounding the eye is the eyewall, an area about 10-50 mi (16-80 km)wide in which the strongest thunderstorms and winds circulate around thestorm's center.

The circulation of clouds around a cyclone's center imparts a distinctspiral shape to the system. Bands or arms may extend over greatdistances as clouds are drawn toward the cyclone. The direction of thecyclonic circulation depends on the hemisphere; it is counterclockwisein the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.Maximum sustained winds in the strongest tropical cyclones have beenmeasured at more than 85 m/s (165 kt, 190 mph, 305 km/h).

Eyewall replacement cycles naturally occur in intense tropical cyclones.When cyclones reach peak intensity they usually—but not always—have aneyewall and radius of maximum winds that contract to a very small size,around 5 to 15 miles. At this point, some of the outer rainbands mayorganize into an outer ring of thunderstorms that slowly moves inwardand robs the inner eyewall of its needed moisture and momentum. Duringthis phase, the tropical cyclone is weakening (i.e., the maximum windsdie off a bit and the central pressure goes up). Eventually the outereyewall replaces the inner one completely and the storm can be the sameintensity as it was previously or, in some cases, even stronger. Even ifthe cyclone is weaker at the end of the eyewall replacement cycle, thefact that it has just undergone one and will not undergo another onesoon will allow it to strengthen further, if other conditions allow itto do so.

Officially, “landfall” is when a storm's center (the center of the eye,not its edge) reaches land. Due to the storm's size, storm conditionsmay be experienced on the coast and inland well before landfall. Infact, for a storm moving inland, the landfall area typically experiencesabout half the storm before the actual landfall.

Many other forms of cyclone can form in nature, such as extratropicalcyclones and subtropical cyclones.

An earthquake is phenomenon that results from, and is powered by, thesudden release of stored energy that radiates seismic waves. At theEarth's surface, earthquakes may manifest themselves by a shaking ordisplacement of the ground and sometimes tsunamis, which may lead toloss of life and destruction of property.

Since seismologists cannot directly observe rupture in the Earth'sinterior, they rely on geodetic measurements and numerical experimentsto analyze seismic waves and accurately assess severity of earthquakes.The severity of an earthquake can be measured in terms of magnitude andintensity. For that seismologists use two fundamentally different butequally important types of scales. The original force or energy of anearthquake is measured on a magnitude scale, while the intensity ofshaking occurring at any given point on the Earth's surface is measuredon an intensity scale.

While the non-specialized media will often refer to the magnitudes ofearthquakes as being reported on the Richter scale, the magnitudesreported nowadays are actually on the moment magnitude scale. The olderRichter scale is not adapted for larger earthquakes.

The analyses of earthquake severity allow scientists to estimate thelocations and likelihoods of future earthquakes, helping identify areasof greatest hazard and ensure safety of people and infrastructurelocated in such areas. To show the extent of various levels of seismiceffects within a particular locality, seismologists compile special mapscalled isoseismal maps. An isoseismal map uses contours to outline areasof equal value in terms of ground shaking intensity, ground surfaceliquefaction, shaking amplification, or other seismic effects.Typically, these maps are created by combining historicalinstrument-recorded data with responses to postal questionnaires thatare sent to each post office near the earthquake and to a sparser sampleof post offices with increasing distance from the earthquake. This wayof preparing a seismic hazard map can take months to complete. Incontrast to the old method, a newer method of information collectiontakes advantage of the Internet to generate initial hazard maps almostinstantly. Data are received through a questionnaire on the Internetanswered by people who actually experienced the earthquake, reducing theprocess of preparing and distributing a map for a particular earthquakefrom months to minutes.

A tsunami is a series of waves when a body of water, such as an ocean israpidly displaced on a massive scale. Earthquakes, mass movements aboveor below water, volcanic eruptions and other underwater explosions, andlarge meteorite impacts all have the potential to generate a tsunami.The effects of a tsunami can range from unnoticeable to devastating.

Most of the damage of a tsunami is caused by the huge mass of waterbehind the initial wave front, as the height of the sea keeps risingfast and floods powerfully into the coastal area. The weight of water isenough to pulverize objects in its path, often reducing buildings totheir foundations and scouring exposed ground to the bedrock. Largeobjects such as ships and boulders can be carried several miles inlandbefore the tsunami subsides.

Tsunamis contain immense energy, propagate at high speeds and can travelgreat trans-oceanic distances with little overall energy loss. A tsunamican cause damage thousands of miles from its origin, so there may beseveral hours between its creation and its impact on a coast, arrivinglong after the seismic wave generated by the originating event arrives.Although the total or overall loss of energy is small, the total energyis spread over a larger and larger circumference as the wave travels.

XII. Pool

In an embodiment, an amount wagered (e.g., by a purchase of a financialinstrument having a value that is based on a natural event) is added orotherwise allocated to a “pool” of funds or other resources. The poolis, in turn, used in making payouts to winners.

A portion of the pool from wagers (e.g., 10% of the pool, a fixedamount) may be deducted from the pool and provided to the affected area(e.g., provided to one or more municipalities, state governmentagencies, entities in the affected areas). Additionally oralternatively, a portion of the pool (e.g., 2% of the pool, a fixedamount) may be allocated to expenses in administering the betting systemor any aspect of the betting system. Additionally or alternatively, aportion of the pool may be allocated to a profit percentage or to aroyalty due to an entity. In any of the foregoing or in any other typeof deduction or allocation, the manner of the deduction or allocationmay be different in different circumstance (e.g., different amounts inthe pool at different times such as at the end of a time period). Forexample, the portion deducted from the pool may be higher when theamount in the pool is higher (e.g., 10% if the pool exceeds $1,000,000,and 5% otherwise). In an embodiment, the portion deducted from the poolmay be lower when the amount in the pool is higher (e.g., 5% if the poolexceeds $1,000,000, and 10% otherwise).

A pool may be increased by amounts such as matching contributions and/orany amounts not paid from prior time periods or from other bettingevents (e.g., no hurricane hit last season, there were no winners lastseason).

In an embodiment, the amounts remaining in the pool after deductions arepaid to “wining bets” (e.g., those bets which designated an area whichwas first hit by a designated event).

There may be a plurality of pools, in which each pool corresponds todifferent areas. For example, there may be a different pool for each ofa plurality of large geographic areas (e.g., the Southeast, theMidwest). In an embodiment, each geographic area corresponding to a poolincludes a substantial number of areas (e.g., one hundred towns) whichmay be designated by bets. Such an embodiment may be practiced incombination with embodiments in which there are pools for differentevents (e.g., hurricane, storm) and/or different occurrences of the sameevent (e.g., a plurality of hurricanes).

A pool may not be used at all to make payouts. For example, in anembodiment there may be two or more pools, each for different payoutsfor different hurricanes during a season or other time period (e.g., afirst hurricane to hit and a second hurricane to hit). If there arefewer hurricanes that hit than such pools, then the amounts in those(e.g., unused) pools may be employed for other purposes (e.g., used forsubsequent pools and/or events, used to payout winners of previousevents).

XIII. Determining “Winners”

The amount of payout to each winning bettor (a “bettor” being usedherein to indicate not only an entity that makes a bet, but also toindicate an entity that desires to make a bet and an entity that uses asystem that allows bets to be made) can be based on a pari-mutuel system(e.g., a pro rata share of the available pool), a fixed amount (e.g.,twice the amount of the respective amount wagered), or any combinationof the foregoing or other payout determinations.

In an embodiment, the payout to a wining bettor is based on the strengthof the event (e.g., the strength of a hurricane, the strength of anearthquake). For example, the payouts from a category three stormhitting a designated area can be greater than the payouts from acategory two storm hitting that designated area. In an embodiment wherea payout is to be lesser, a smaller portion of the pool may be used topayout bets (e.g., 80% of the available pool for a hurricane that iscategory three or lesser, and all of the available pool for a hurricanethat is greater than category three). In an embodiment, there is nopayout made for lesser strength events.

Payout can be based on other factors besides strength of the event. Forexample, the payout can be based on the damage done by the event.

In an embodiment, where it is determined that during a particular seasona hurricane hit a particular town first (before that hurricane hit anyother towns), then payouts (e.g., from a first pool of funds) can bemade to those bettors who made bets that designated that particulartown. Multiple events (e.g., during the same time period) may beprocessed in a variety of manners. For example, if during that sameseason as in the above embodiment, a second hurricane were to hit acertain town first (before that second hurricane hit any other towns),then payouts (e.g., from a second pool of funds) can be made to thosebets which designated that certain town.

Such a determination of whether and/or to what extent the designatedevent “hits” the designated area (or hits the designated area first) ina time period can be made objectively and/or subjectively. For example,a designated event (e.g., a hurricane, a portion such as the eye of thehurricane) may be designated by an official statement (of otherstatement or data) of an entity such as the U.S. National WeatherService. For example, the U.S. National Weather Service may designatethe area where the eye of the hurricane made landfall, and this areacould be considered the first area “hit” by that hurricane. Suchinformation from the U.S. National Weather Service could then be (1)received directly by a computer or other computing device, and/or (2)used as a reference to verify of the value of an instrument purportedlybased on such an official statement.

For example, at the beginning of a season, bets may be made by aplurality of participants, in which each bet indicates an area (e.g., acounty) that a hurricane is to hit. A determination is later made as towhat area is hit (e.g., which is the first county the eye of the firsthurricane hits before any other counties are hit). The determination maybe made soon after the hurricane hits an area (e.g., the day after)and/or at other times (e.g., at the end of the season, when officialdata is available). In an embodiment, there is a plurality ofdeterminations made for the same event (e.g., a determination made“provisionally” and a determination made subsequently which is deemed an“official” designation). In such an embodiment, payout may be made (1)partially according to each determination (e.g., 10% for a provisionaldesignation and 90% for an official designation), (2) fully for eachdetermination, and a refund is required for subsequent determinationsthat deem the earlier determinations to be erroneous.

In an embodiment, one or more restrictions may be imposed on entitiesthat desire to make a bet. For example, the ability to make a bet (orother parameter of a bet) that designates a particular area may be basedon the residence of the bettor, or other connection between the bettorand the area. For example, in such an embodiment a bettor might only beable to bet on an area if that bettor resides in that area, ownsproperty in that area, is a taxpayer in that area, has paid certain orall taxes (e.g., property taxes, income taxes) that are due in an area.

Such a restriction may mean that, for example, (1) bets may not be madeunless such a residence condition is demonstrated, (2) payouts from betsmay not be paid unless such a residence condition is demonstrated,and/or (3) payouts from bets may be withdrawn or returned by the winnerif such a residence condition is not demonstrated.

In an embodiment, a bettor receives an enhanced benefit for betting onan area if the bettor has a connection to the area. For example, abettor may receive an increased a payout if that bettor resides in thatarea, owns property in that area, is a taxpayer in that area, and/or haspaid taxes due for an area.

In an embodiment, a bettor may designate his residence in an area,ownership of property in an area, payment of taxes in an area, andthereby permit such information to be stored and/or processed.

In an embodiment, a resident of an area (or bettor with anotherconnection to an area) can register and receive an identifier that isencoded with data that indicates his area of residence (or otherconnection) or that indicates other area data. Then, a bet by thatresident can indicate the residence address of the purchaser, orindicate another connection of the bettor to the area. In an embodiment,a payout amount can be mailed to an address that is indicated in any ofthe foregoing manners, or in another manner.

XIV. Purchasing Early

The time at which a bet is made can affect the payout for that bet. Forexample, making a bet earlier can provide an increased payout comparedto an equivalent bet which was made later. Additionally oralternatively, another benefit can be provided to a ticket purchaser whomakes a bet earlier.

One type of benefit is that a lower commission, fee, tax etc. can bededucted from the amount paid by the bettor. Thus, according to anembodiment, a larger amount of the money paid by the bettor is actuallyused for his purposes (e.g., to purchase more, to wager more), and thusthere can be a higher potential payout to the bettor (in an embodimentwhere the amount of payout is based on the amount made available towager).

In an embodiment, a bet made at an earlier time can be considered (e.g.,for payout purposes, for there purposes) to be equivalent to a largeramount bet (e.g., entitled to a greater share of the pool upon winning).

In an embodiment, a wager can be placed on a specific event. Forexample, a wager can be placed whether a phenomenon (e.g., a depression,other phenomena) turns into another phenomenon (e.g., a hurricane).There can be a payout for this change (e.g., a depression becoming ahurricane) and/or a combination (e.g., a depression becoming a hurricaneand that hurricane hits land).

XV. Deductions

In an embodiment, an amount wagered or portions thereof can beconsidered deductible for purposes of calculating taxes due (e.g.,federal tax, state tax). Accordingly, a graphical user interface orother interface can be provided in which a bettor can request suchinformation and be provided with such information.

For example, the bettor (or other entity) can designate that the bet isbeing used as insurance or as another deductible expenditure.

At the end of the year (or at other times, such as upon request bycustomer) a statement can be generated (e.g., via a Web interface, viaemail, printed and mailed to the bettor) for the bettor. Such astatement can indicate, e.g., the bets made, the details of each bet,what was spent, what was paid out, what areas were designated, when thebets were made, and/or and other information.

XVI. Other Bets

In an embodiment, a bet may designate a plurality of different areas.For example, a bet may designate a center and a radius, therebyindicating a circular region, and areas encompassed by the circularregion. Other shapes besides a circular shape may be designated.

In an embodiment, a bet can track or correspond to a prediction, opinionor expectation (e.g., that a certain area or areas will be hit by ahurricane) of another (e.g., an analyst, a meteorologist). In such anembodiment, an interface may be provided (e.g., in conjunction with aportion of an interface that displays a prediction of another) whichallows (e.g., through a single click of a button or other user action)the making of a bet that corresponds to the prediction.

In an embodiment, a bet can designate the opposite of any event or betdescribed herein. For example, a bet may be made which yields a payoutwhen an area or set of areas is not hit (e.g., by a hurricane, by any ofa set of events during the season).

In an embodiment, a bet may designate a direction in addition to orinstead of designating one or more areas. A bet may yield a payout basedon whether, e.g., a hurricane moves in that direction. In an embodiment,a direction may be defined in terms of a range of directions (e.g., anydirection between and including north and northeast).

XVII. Offers

In an embodiment, a bettor may receive an offer which, if accepted,causes a particular bet to be made. For example, a graphical userinterface (or an email communication or any other communication medium)can present an offer to a bettor who has made a bet (e.g., a bettor whohas recently made a bet). Certain details of the offer (e.g., featuresof an offered bet) which is provided to the bettor may be based on a betmade by the bettor, whether recently or otherwise. For example, if thebettor makes a bet that designates a first area, an offer can beprovided to that bettor, in which the offer defines a second area thatis selected (e.g., by the system) based on the first area (e.g., asecond area is an area that is adjacent to the first area).

If the offer is accepted, and if the offer defines features of anoffered bet, then a bet having those features can be made automaticallyfor the bettor. Whether offers are provided to a bettor, and/or thefeatures of such an offer, can be based on other bettors in an area(e.g., whether there are “sufficient” wager amounts corresponding to anarea) and/or other factors.

XVIII. Recommendations and Other Data

In an embodiment, an interface (e.g., a graphical user interfaceprovided via the web or via custom software) can display various data ofinterest to a bettor or others. Any information or data describedherein, as well as anything derivable from any information or datadescribed herein, may be output (e.g., displayed). For example,information regarding bets made may be displayed in a format thatdescribes aggregate bets (e.g., aggregate amounts wagered) in one ormore areas. For example, a graphical user interface can display ageographic map (e.g., a map of a portion of the United States) withcorresponding textual or graphical (e.g., color) data regarding betsmade on areas, amounts wagered on areas, etc.

In an embodiment, the graphical user interface can display dataregarding bets of others, in which such bets are deemed “similar” tothose of the bettor. For example, if a bettor makes a bet thatdesignates area A, the graphical user interface can display informationregarding the areas designated by bets of a set of bettors, where thatset of bettors had also made bets that designate area A, and the set ofbettors had also made other bets that designate other areas. In anembodiment, the graphical user interface can display a set of areas notdesignated (or not frequently designated) by similar bettors.

In an embodiment, a graphical user interface can display other areasthat correspond to areas selected by a bettor (e.g., an area designatedby a bet that the bettor made or desires to make, an area selected orindicated by the bettor in another manner). For example, the graphicaluser interface may present opinions or recommendations of others. In anembodiment, one or more users or other entities may provide, based on aselected area, other areas that, e.g., should in their opinion bedesignated by additional bets.

In an embodiment, the graphical user interface allows bets to be madebased on the displayed or output data. For example, if a map or othergraphic indicates various areas, then clicking on or otherwiseindicating an area can cause a bet that designates that area to be madeor facilitated (e.g., steps are taken to make such a bet, but one ormore additional steps are required to make that bet).

In an embodiment, a goal can be output (e.g., a “goal meter” can bedisplayed via a graphical user interface). The goal that is output canindicate (e.g., via a graphical or numerical display) any information,such as an estimated amount of money an area will need to raise if it isactually hit by a hurricane. The goal that is output can also indicateprogress towards that goal (e.g., money accumulated for the area viawagers, the amount received, due or allocated to the area by virtue ofits allocated portions of a pool). The goal that is output can indicategoals of areas that are selected by the bettor (e.g., areas that havebeen designated by bets of the bettor).

1. (canceled)
 2. A method comprising: displaying, by at least oneprocessor, a geographic map on a graphical user interface; displaying,by the at least one processor, a plurality of indicators across variousareas on the geographic map, each indicator representing a financialinstrument whose value is based on a likelihood that a weather eventwill or will not occur at a location on the map during a specified timeperiod; detecting, by the at least one processor, a selection of an areaon the geographic map displayed on the graphical user interface; inresponse to detecting selection of the area, generating, by the at leastone processor, a first financial instrument whose value is based on alikelihood that a given weather related event will occur on the selectedarea; receiving, by the at least one processor, information from aweather service over a network; determining, by the at least oneprocessor, whether the given weather event occurs on the area selectedvia the graphical user interface based on the information received fromthe weather service; and calculating, by the at least one processor, apayout from a pool of funds in response to determining that the givenweather event occurred on the area selected via the graphical userinterface.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining whether thefirst bet or the second bet is a winning bet comprises receiving, by theat least one processor, information from a weather service over anetwork, the information specifying whether the given weather relatedevent occurred in the first area or the second area.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, further comprising determining, by the at least one processor,whether the first bet or the second bet is a winning bet based on theinformation from the weather service.
 5. The method of claim 2, furthercomprising storing, by the at least one processor, data indicative of afirst pool of bets corresponding to the first area and a second pool ofbets corresponding to the second area.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising causing, by the at least one processor, at least a portion ofa first amount wagered in the first bet to be pooled in the first poolof bets.
 7. The method of claim 5, further comprising causing, by the atleast one processor, at least a portion of a second amount wagered inthe second bet to be pooled in the second pool of bets.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, further comprising causing, by the at least one processor, apayout to be paid to the first pool of bets or the second pool of bets,in response to determining that the first bet or the second bet is awinning bet.
 9. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying, bythe at least one processor, text indicative of opinions orrecommendations regarding bets on areas of the geographic map.
 10. Anapparatus comprising: a memory; a network interface; at least oneprocessor to: display a geographic map on a graphical user interface;display a plurality of indicators across various areas on the geographicmap, each indicator representing a financial instrument whose value isbased on a likelihood that a weather event will or will not occur at alocation on the map during a specified time period; detect a selectionof a first area on the geographic map displayed on the graphical userinterface; in response to detecting selection of the first area, receivea first bet defining a first wager that a given weather related eventwill occur on the first area selected on the graphical user interface;detect a selection of a second area on the geographic map displayed onthe graphical user interface; in response to detecting selection of thesecond area, receive a second bet defining a second wager that the givenweather related event will occur on the second area selected on thegraphical user interface; and determine whether the first bet or thesecond bet is a winning bet based on whether the given weather relatedevent occurred in the first area or the second area during a timeperiod.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to receive information from a weatherservice via the network interface, the information specifying whetherthe given weather related event occurred in the first area or the secondarea, to determine whether the first bet or the second bet is thewinning bet.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to determine whether the first bet orthe second bet is a winning bet based on the information from theweather service.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to store data indicative of a first poolof bets corresponding to the first area and a second pool of betscorresponding to the second area.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, whereinthe at least one processor is further configured to cause at least aportion of a first amount wagered in the first bet to be pooled in thefirst pool of bets.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at leastone processor is further configured to cause at least a portion of asecond amount wagered in the second bet to be pooled in the second poolof bets.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the at least oneprocessor is further configured to cause a payout to be paid to thefirst pool of bets or the second pool of bets, in response todetermining that the first bet or the second bet is a winning bet. 17.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is furtherconfigured to display text indicative of opinions or recommendationsregarding bets on areas of the geographic map.